Rotterdam Walk: Highlights, Architecture & WWII Gems | 2 or 3hrs
Description
Discover Rotterdam with a local guide on this walking tour, covering top landmarks and hidden gems. Learn all about the history of the city, from its roots in the 1200s and the devastating WWII bombardments, to its post-WWII rebirth, the major harbor, architecture, culture, and beyond. - Some highlights: Cube Houses, Markthal, Old Harbor Erasmus bridge and Art Depot - Some hidden Gems: Veerhaven, Shipping Quarter - Themes: History, Culture, Harbor, WWII, Architecture: Present and Future. - Small group of maximum 15 people. The 2- vs. 3-hour walking tour: In short, the two-hour tour gives you an overview and idea of the city, while the three-hour tour can help you really understand Rotterdam. The routes go even more to the core; the stories are more in-depth, and visualization is even richer. But, you can never go wrong with either choice.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The (Mirrored) Art Depot of Boijmans van Beuningen, with other places in the Museum District. Here you will learn about all the museums and the Land of Hoboken.
Het Scheepvaartkwartier (Shipping Quarter) is a hidden gem of the outer city center; a place many Rotterdammers don't even know about. Here you will experience the open and wide feeling of this beautiful harbor city! From the side of the river Maas, you will be able to see Hotel New York, Steam Ship Rotterdam and Erasmusbrug.
The Erasmus bridge is the big white bridge, crossing the river Meuse (Maas) and connecting north to south. It is an icon to the city and here you will hear all about the Second World War, the invasion, and bombardment of Rotterdam.
In the Maritime District you find many last of their kind boats aging over a 100-years. We will walk through this open-air museum, and you feel like you're back in time!
One of the most important statues in the city of Rotterdam regarding the Second World War, at Square 1940, with lots of meaning and history.
The White House is a historical icon and used to be the tallest office tower in Europe!
The old harbor is one of the oldest harbors in The Netherlands and also very cozy! From here, we have a great view of the cube houses, which will see from up close at our next stop!
The cube houses might be one of the most famous sightseeing locations in the city. While we walk through the street of cube houses (Overblaak), tou will learn everything about the why, how and architecture. You will walk through the 'concrete forest' on the way to the market square.
After we visited the market square, we will end the tour inside The Markthal. This made Rotterdam extra famous and is a modern indoor market with lots of food and colors! We also call it our modern Sistine Chapel, and you will find out why!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(171)
We were on a cruise ship; the meeting spot is about 30 minute walk from the terminal. (Near the Art Depot) Yoreh did an excellent job telling the story of Rotterdam’s recovery from WW2, and also culture of Rotterdam. The architecture is fascinating- both old and new. The pacing was good, with opportunities for a restroom and snack. Highly recommend.
My husband and I took this walking tour when our cruise ship was in port for the day. It was an amazing way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Our guide, Yoreh was great! He set a nice pace for the tour while providing an in depth history lesson about the city. We highly recommend this tour! It is worth your time and money.
What a great tour! Yoreh did a really good job of explaining in detail, without being boring, the history of Rotterdam. His pictures helped bring old Rotterdam to life and gave context to what we were currently viewing. The pacing was good - fast enough to get to a lot of the city but slow enough that we were never waiting for anyone to catch up. I would definitely recommend.
What a great tour! Yoreh did a really good job of explaining in detail, without being boring, the history of Rotterdam. His pictures helped bring old Rotterdam to life and gave context to what we were currently viewing. The pacing was good - fast enough to get to a lot of the city but slow enough that we were never waiting for anyone to catch up. I would definitely recommend.
I am so happy to read you have experienced the city and tour this way, as it is exactly what I am going for. Thank you for the kind words and great review. Kind regards, Yoreh
I recommend this walking tour to everyone, which leads to the discovery of Rotterdam, letting you discover places and history. Ytzel is a very good and very sweet guide and girl. All in Italian. I recommend it to everyone.
Our tour guide Yoreh was wonderful. He shared pictures and gave us a detailed description of the sights and history. Highly recommend!!
Thank you so much for the great review and the wonderful words! It was great to have you on the tour with me! Kind regards, Yoreh
Our guide was excellent! His knowledge and enthusiasm was very impressive. As a local growing up in Rotterdam he had unique perspective of the city. He spoke very well and had extensive knowledge of the unusual architecture and history. His visual aids and photographs explained things so well and added to the experience.
Thanks for leaving us such a great review! We spend a lot of time researching Rotterdam, building on the knowledge we already have as locals, so it's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the tour. We'll be sure to pass your kind message on to Yoreh. Keep traveling and writing these beautiful reviews! Kind regards, Elmer
Loved it! Yoreh is an excellent guide and helped bring the city alive for us. Fortunate to share it with several other lovely strangers too.
Thanks for making the effort leaving us a 5-star review! You all were a lovely group of strangers and remember that Rottourdam will always be there to welcome you again!
Yoreh was one of the best tour guides we have had the pleasure of experiencing on a guided walking tour of a city. He was knowledgeable, funny, and provided us a general overview of the evolution of Rotterdam over several centuries. His enthusiasm about Rotterdam was genuine. He also had many illustrations and pictures showing the development of the early city, before and after pictures of the city after the WWII bombing, and future development plans. He brought Rotterdam to life for us.
Thanks for leaving us such a genuine review, it is more than appreciated! Your review helps other travelers to make the right decision ;) We will pass on your review to our passionate guide @Yoreh!
It was wonderful. Guide was so knowledgeable and his love for his home town was contagious . His pictures helped his stories
Our guides are extremely passionable about the city! We love to share stories about our home town. Feel free to re-visit again whenever you are ready! Thanks for leaving us a 5-star review :)
